Table-top processing machine



June 10, 1952 M. IZEN TABLE TOP PROCESSING MACHINE Filed Dec. 8, 1950 49 48 5 56 45 57 25 1 r U 3 I O. 44 t 56 43 42 75 73 76 2 SHEETS-SHEET l June 10, 1952 |ZEN TABLE-TOP PROCESSING MACHINE 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 Filed Dec. 8, 1950 INVENTOR. MANUEL /ZE/\/ 'Illlllllllll atenteci june 10,

UNITED PATENT 2,599,711

msm mrmoonssma MACHINE Manuel Izen,v Los Angeles,: Galif; MMEWPIIDWWMT 8 $i Q- 3939-.

6 Claims. (01. 144-4445) This i ven ion film t9 mac ngsf gmplcv l in he u n ure and indne ndu t sa and ii r= fic rly t mann ng fir a pl n m a mQu T inguo r trim stri'pgtc) the edge "oftable tops and the nke.

n a p ying a mou ding m t im i rj p t the eri her e ge 1 tabl mn is sustoma lQ first. pe th tabl o a id noo ei d thereof, said groove gxt e nding lgggflmwiae h ugho t the gelor to whic h mQHl s" t in i s 9 atmhs s Th harm? fQQ B is um u into t xmdss: of h wq Q i $81518 eing d ptfid, w be fo ced nbb th p ri liq' a r p of he ab s: 1 9 to cmr h strip n iyomplte occur therein dug I rah n-v It :12 @1 3? s em wm m cutter is mounted to move :toward and .away ,cfrom the ledge 0f Ythe atable .top, the cutter, when "disposed ad jacerit the table,being-adapted .to shape the table top and out :a continuous groove in "the edges as the table top is rotated.

Another object is to provide a. machine, kofii he mg ,descriptiqn grid is vair yie a n fin 'qh'mclud' "anyway Baa ert im tri #9}? an output shaft 35 are intended for the purpose of illustration only, and in which:

Fig. l is a perspective view of the machine for applying metal trim strips to the edges of table tops or the like;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a table top section, showing a metal moulding or trim strip applied to the edge thereof;

Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the edge portion of the table top component, taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a sectional plan view of the machine, taken substantially on line 4-4 of Fig. l, the rotary cutter means being shown in its operative position at the start of the grooving operation;

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 4 but showing the grooving means in its inoperative position and illustrating the trim strip applying means operative to press the trim strip in place; and

Fig. 6 is a vertical sectional view, taken on line 5-6. of Fig. 4.

Referring to the drawings in detail, the present machine is designed primarily for use in applying a metal moulding or trim strip if! to the perimetrical edge of a table top or a section of such a top, such a section or component being designated by the reference numeral H in the drawings. The metal strip may be of a width substantially equal to the thickness of the tabletop, or it may be relatively wide to adapt itto extend below the bottom surface of the table-top as shown in Figs. 2 and 3. In either case, the trim strip is provided with a rearwardly projecting, longitudinally extending fin or web l2 which, as shown in Fig. 3, has barb-like ribs 13. The table-top component it and its trim strip it are conventional in tables of the so-called chrome furniture class in which the table is provided with a hard, plastic upper surface 14.

As previously explained, the chrome-plated trim strip ID is secured to the edge of the tabletop, or a section thereof, by first shaping the section and cutting a slit or groove in the edge of the same, and thereafter placing the stri adjacent the edge with its rearward fin if in alignment with the groove, after which the strip is forced against the shaped edge to cause its barbed fin to become firmly wedged and embedded in the table-top. Fig. 3 illustrates the strip Ii! applied to the table-top section II with its anchoring fin V groove, which is l2 firmly wedged in the narrow designated by the reference numeral l5. As stated before, the operations of grooving the table-tops and attaching the trim strips thereto have heretofore been costly since they have been carried out manually. It is the aim of this invention to provide a machine for carrying out the method systematically and semiautomatically so as to simplify the operations, greatly improve the product and minimize the cost of production.

Referring first to Fig. 1, the present machine or apparatus comprises a relatively heavy frame made from structural steel elements, the frame including a pair of uprights or stanchions 2| and 22 between which extends a lower beam 25, and upper beam .24 and intermediate beams or cross members 25 and 25.

Rotatable in bearings 21 and 28 carried by the respective beams 23 and 25 is a vertical shaft which, as shown in Figs. 4 and 5, carries a large gear 3|. Supported by a bracket 52, secured to the upright 22, is a reversible electric motor 53 and a speed reduction unit 34 operatively associated with the motor to be driven thereby, the unit being of 'a conventional type and including having a gear thereon .the table-top section which meshes with the gear 3i to rotate the same when the motor 33 is energized. The gears 33 and 35 are enclosed in a cover or guard 31.

The shaft 30 projects above the beam 25 and has a circular plate 45 which provides a turntable. Secured to the upper surface of the turntable 45, as by screws, is a pattern or template 4| which follows the general contour of the table-top or table-top section H to be operated upon, the pattern being, however, somewhat smaller than the section H as shown in Figs. 4

to 6. The table-top section II is adapted to be supported upon the turntable 45 and to be rotated at a relatively slow speed therewith. Since it is highly desirable that the section ll be quickly insertable in and removable from the machine, the present machine embodies readily releasable means for clamping the section in place. This means comprises a clamping plate or head 42 which is carried by the piston rod or ram 43 of a fluid-actuated jack 44, the latter including a stationary cylinder 45 into the upper and lower end of which pressure operating fiuid can be selectively introduced by way of pipes 46 and 41. Flow of fluid through the pipes 45 and 41 is controlled by means of a selector valve 48 through which the fluid is forced by a pump (not shown) which draws the fluid from a reservoir 49. After H has been placed in the turntable 45 in correct position, the valve 48 is actuated to cause the piston rod 45 to be lowered. By this procedure, the clamping plate 42 is caused to descend against the table-top section H to clamp it firmly against the turntable 4!). The piston rod 43 is rotatable in the cylinder 45 so that when the turntable is rotated, for the purpose to be later explained, the clamping plate 42 rotates with the table-top section H;

Pivotally mounted on a vertical support, rod 55 are the arms 55 of a carrier member 51, the forward end of which is disposed forwardly of the frame 25. The carrier member 51 supports an electric motor 55 whose vertical armature shaft 59 carries a pair of cutter discs 50 and 5i between which is disposed a thin cutter disc or saw 60. The carrier member 51 is normally elevated by means of a coil spring, indicated generally at Bi, and is adapted to be pivoted toward and away from the turntable 45 by means of a handle 62 projecting from the member. The armature shaft 59 also carries a follower disc 63 which is of larger diameter than the gang of cutter discs-50, 5 i, and 55, and disposed therebeneath.

When the cutter unit 51, 58, 60 is moved toward the turntable 45 and is depressed, the follower disc 53 is caused to underlie the edge portion of the table-top section II and to engage against the perimeter of the pattern or template 4!. The relative diameters of the follower disc and the rotary cutters 50 and 5| is such that the latter act to plane the edge of the table-top section It and its covering l4 so as to shape the same to the correct contour and size, engagement of the follower disc with the pattern 4| controlling the movement of these cutter discs. As the turntable 45, and the section carried thereby, are rotated slowly, the rotating cutter 6!] acts to mill the continuous groove 15 in the shaped edge of the table-top component II. The carrier member 51 may be readily raised or lowered by means of handle 55 pivoted on the frame 20 and operatively connected to the rod 55. When the cutter unit is not in operation, it can be retained against the upright 21 by means of a hook-type latchfit. p

acoa'na;

To shape the table-top -section H and cut the groove, l thereimtheturntable 40 1s rotated to the position shown in Fig. 4, at which time the cutter unit is swung towardtheright and lowered to dispose its follower'disc 63 beneath the r section, in engagement withthepattern 41. The

turntable is then rotated in clockwise-direction, as viewed in Fig. 4; while the cutter unit isurged toward the right to maintain the follower disc 63 in rolling engagementwith tliepattern. While the cutterjunit is herein shown as manually operated, it will be apparent that it maybe main tained in co-operative relation with the table-=- top section H "by suitable fluid-actuated orsprin-g means. After thecu'tter B'fl cuts thegroove l-B in the three outer edge portions of the table-top section, the trim strip H! is applied to these-edge portions by mechanism {to-be described.

Pivoted on a vertical rod 10, mounted at the rear of the frame '20, is a pair of-arms *H- and i2 which extend forwardly through the space between the cross-beams 25 and '26. Extending between the forward ends of the arms*'l-l and 12 arms 8| and 82 projecting from the upright 22.

Operating fluid is selectively introduced into either end of the cylinder 19 through lines 83 and 84 which are connected to a selector valve 85.

When it is desired to apply the trim strip lil to the grooved edges of the tabla-top section II, the latter is first rotated to the position illustratedin Fig. 5. One end of the trim strip NJ is then placed against the table-top section H. The valve 85 is then actuated to introduce fluid into the right-hand end, of the cylinder l9 so as to cause its piston and the piston rod IT to be extended toward the left. By this action, the arms H and 12 are pivoted toward the left so as to engage the pressing roller 15 against the trim strip. The motor 33 is then energized to cause it to rotate the turntable in counterclockwise direction. During such rotation of the section H, the roller 15 acts to press the trim strip I0 firmly against the grooved edge and to thus force the barbed rib l2 into the groove. In order to allow the roller 15 to follow the contour of the table-top section II, the cylinder 19 is provided with a bleed port having a relief valve incorporated therein, this being a common expedient and therefore not shown in detail. While the drawings illustrate the table-top section I I as being of substantially rectangular shape, it will be apparent that the present machine is adaptable for use in applying trim strips to table tops, or sections thereof, having different shapes. For example, the machine is adapted to apply trim strips to circular table tops, to semi-circular table-top sections or leaves, etc.

After the trim strip ID has been applied in the manner explained above, the roller 15 is retracted and the clamping head 42 is raised by manipulating the valve 48. The table-top section II thus is released and may be conveniently removed from the machine and replaced by another ungrooved section, after which the operative cycle is repeated.

While the machine or apparatus has been described as embodied in a preferred form of construction, by way of example, it will be understood that various modifications might be made 1 ing' generally to the 6 in its structure without departing from thespirit of the invention. Consequently; I do notwish to be limited in this respect, but desire to be afforded the full scope of the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a machine for applying a trim strip to the edge of a flat object: a frame; a fia-tpattern rotatable on said frame and supporting the-ob ject, said pattern having a perimeter conformperimetrical contour of: the object; releasable clamping means for-clamping the object to said pattern; a carrier movablecn' said frame; a cutter rotatable on saidcarrie-r, said carrier being movable to an operative posi- F tion to dispose said cutter in cut-ting engagement with the edge of the object, rotation oi -said object relative to said carrier causing said cutter. to cut a groove in theperimeter ofthe object; a follower roller disposed coax-ially with said outter androllable along the perimeter of said pat.

tern, said pattern being of smaller dimensions being of larger than the object and said roller diameter than said cutter so as to'control the depth of the groove cut by said cutter; and a spring operative to move said cutter axiailyi nt'o engagement with a face of the ilatohiectso as to position said cutter at a selected distance from said face transversely of the object, saidspring being engageable between a part of said frame and said carrier.

2. In a machine for applying a trim strip to the edgeofa fiat object: a frame; a fiatpattern rotatable on said frame and supporting theo'bject, said pattern having a perimeter conforming generally to the perimetrical contour of linear)- ject; fluid-actuated, releasable clamping means for clamping the object to said pattern; a carrier movable on said frame; a cutter rotatable on said carrier, saidcarrier being movable to an operative-position to dispose saidcutter in cut ting engagement with the edge of 'thecb'ject, rotation of 'said object relative to said carrier cause ing said cutter to cut agroove inthe perimeter of the object; a. follower roller disposed' coaxially with said cutter and rollable along the perimeter of said pattern, said pattern being of smaller dimensions than the object and said roller being of larger diameter than said cutter so as to control the depth of the groove cut by said cutter, said carrier being movable in a direction axially of said cutter; and a spring having one end engaging a part of said frame and its other and engaging said carrier so as to move the latter in a direction to maintain a, face of said follower in engagement with a face of said pattern adja cent its edge and thus position said cutter at a predetermined distance from said face transversely of the object,

3. In a machine for applying a trim strip to the edge of a flat object: a frame; a flat pattern rotatable on said frame and supporting the object, said pattern having a perimeter conforming generally to the perimetrical contour of the object; fluid-actuated, releasable clamping means for clamping the object to said pattern; a carrier pivoted on said frame; a cutter rotatable on said carrier with its axis vertical, said carrier being movable to an operative position to dispose said cutter in cutting engagement with the edge of the object, rotation of said object relative to said carrier causing said cutter to cut a groove in the perimeter of the object; and a follower roller disposed coaxially with said cutter and rollable along the perimeter of said pattern, said pattern being of smaller dimensions than the object' and said roller being of larger diameter than said cutter so as to control the depth of the groove cut by said cutter, said carrier being movable vertically so as to dispose said cutter at desired distance from a face of the object; and a spring having a lower end engaging a part of said frame and its upper end engaging said carrier so as to normally urge said carrier upwardly to maintain the upper face of the follower in engagement with the lower face of the object, so as to cause said cutter to cut the groove at a predetermined distance from said bottom face.

4. A machine of the character defined in claim 3 and including a coil spring compressed between a part of said frame and said carrier so as to move said carrier in a direction to maintain said follower roller flat against a face of the object so as to locate said cutter at a predetermined distance inwardly from said face.

5. In a machine for applying a trim strip to the edge of a flat object: a frame having a, vertical post; a, fiat pattern rotatable on said frame and supporting the object, said pattern having a perimeter conforming generally to the perimetrical contour of the object; releasable clamping means for clamping the object to said pattern; a carrier pivotally mounted for horizontal pivotal movement and slidable vertically on said post; cutter means rotatable on a vertical axis on said carrier, rotation of said object relative to said carrier causing said cutter means to shape the perimeter of said object and cut a groove in the perimeter of the object; a, follower roller disposed coaxially with said cutter means and rollable along the perimeter of said pattern, said pattern being of smaller dimensions than the object and said roller being of larger diameter than said cutter means so as to control the contour of the object and the depth of the groove cut in its edge; and a spring surrounding said post and engaging between said frame and said carrier for normally moving the latter upwardly to maintain said follower roller in engagement with the bottom face of the object.

6. In a. machine for applying a trim strip to the edge of a flat object: a frame; a flat pattern rotatable on said frame and supporting the object, said pattern having a perimeter conforming generally to the perimetrical contour of the object; releasable clamping means for clamping the object to said pattern; a carrier pivoted on said frame for movement toward and away from the perimeter of the object and in a plane of said object, said carrier being also movable in a path extending at right angles to the plane of said object; cutter means rotatable on said carrier for grooving the perimeter of said object; a follower roller disposed coaxially with said cutter means and reliable along the perimeter of said pattern, said pattern being of smaller dimensions than the object and said roller being of larger diameter than said cutter means so as to control the depth of the groove cut in its edge; and a spring engageable between a part of said frame and said carrier and normally operative to move the carrier in a direction to maintain said follower roller in engagement with a face of the object so as to locate the groove at a predetermined distance from a face of the object.

MANUEL IZEN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

